'Back Street Mary' Messere offers plenty of 'staycation' ideas for local history lovers in Central New York

ONEIDA >> With gas prices consistently on the rise, families and individuals may want to explore more economical travel plans this summer and Mary Messere, also known as "Back Street Mary", gave Tuesdays Community Media Lab attendees at the Dispatch offices a taste of the abundance of local historical sites to visit.

Messere is the former Madison County Historian and the founder of Neighbors for Historic Eaton. She knows the historic sites of Upstate New York well, and enjoys speaking and writing about them.

"You can leave Oneida and travel in almost any direction and explore many of the historic sites that New York State has to offer," Messere said. "Roads coming off Route 5 can give you a great deal of history as well".

When Messere resigned as Madison County's Historian she developed a passion to showcase all of the historic sites in Upstate New York and primarily the Mohawk Valley.

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The first stop on her watercolor historic multi-media tour that she provided to attendees was Johnson Hall in Johnstown. Messere suggested that history seekers visit Johnson Hall where they can take a walk through the grounds and gardens and familiarize themselves with what it may have been like when Sir William Johnson - one of the largest single landowners of the time - ran a flourishing trade business. The site is now part of the New York state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Messere indicated that that a historic day trip to Johnson Hall could also consist of a visit Fort Johnson. There you will find the original limestone house built by Sir William Johnson, Johnson occupied the Fort until Johnson Hall was built. According to Messere, the museum provides a wealth of information about culture and development of the Mohawk valley in the mid 18th century.

With the Mohawk Valley's involvement in the Revolutionary War, some original structures still remain and preserve accurate history of that time period. One such structure is the old Indian Castle Church located just off of Route 5S near Canajoharie. While in need of major repairs, the church offers another historical account of Sir William Johnson who, according to Messere, built the church with his own funds to satisfy the Mohawk Indians. The original church bell still remains within this church.

Known today as the Shrine of Lutheranism, another beautiful church that visitors frequently explore for its history is the Old Palatine Church near Nelliston, NY. Messere indicated that the circa 1770 limestone church is possibly the most notable German Palatine structure in upstate New York. While a group of citizens were working to recently to restore the structure, a 13-star flag was found that had previously been hidden within the building.

Closer to Oneida, history seekers can tour the grounds of the Oriskany Battlefield. Considered by many historians as the bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary war, visitors to this historic landmark can stroll the grounds, take part in various interpretative learning opportunities, and step back in time while experiencing what it was like to be in the encampment during this battle.

According to Messere, the focal point of the grounds is a towering monument dedicated to soldiers and Native Americans who sacrificed their lives at this battle. "Many bones still remain buried throughout the site," Messere noted.

Messere also took time to discuss a project that she has taken a personal interest in and has spent her own funds to help restore - the Old Town of Eaton Museum. Located in the oldest stone structure in the town, the museum has documents and historical artifacts dating to the 1790´s

The museum has just finished a major restoration and is slated for a grand opening celebration Memorial Day Weekend, 2013.

Dispatch Editor, Kurt Wanfried hoped that Messere's presentation will be the first of many more to follow as part of the Community Media Lab series. He indicated that with the move to publishing three papers a week, it opens us more opportunities to host these events during evening hours.